Body mass index (BMI)
In all situations, body mass index is not reliable, although it often gives a reasonably indicative result.
Waist circumference and waist–hip ratio
Waist circumference is measured standing on bare skin. The measurement point is midway between the lowest rib and the iliac crest. Hip circumference is also measured standing on bare skin. It is measured at the level of the rounded head of the femur.
Waist circumference and risk of morbidity: WHO, IDF
| No risk | Low risk | Significant risk | |
| Female | <80 cm | 80-87 cm | > 88 cm |
| Male | <94 cm | 94-101 cm | >102 cm |
Waist–hip ratio and risk of morbidity: WHO
| No risk | Low risk | Significant risk | |
| Female | under 0,80 | 0,80-0,84 | 0,85 or higher |
| Male | under 0,90 | 0,90-0,99 | 1,00 or higher |
Maximum Heart Rate
Maximum heart rate varies in practice by approximately ±20 beats per minute for most people. Traditionally, maximum heart rate has been calculated using the formula 220 minus age. This formula is primarily suitable for estimating men’s maximum heart rate. At Harvard University, the formula 206 – 0.88 × age has been developed to estimate women’s maximum heart rate. There is always some uncertainty when estimating maximum heart rate using formulas. See https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/all-about-your-heart-rate
The general calculation formula has also been refined to improve accuracy: 206.9 – 0.67 × age. See Jackson, A.S. et al. (2007): Estimating Maximum Heart Rate From Age: Is It a Linear Relationship? Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, pp. 822–829.
Specific formulas have been developed for male and female athletes: 202 – 0.55 × age (for men) and 216 – 1.09 × age (for women). See Whyte, G.P. et al. (2008): Training Induced Changes in Maximum Heart Rate. Int J Sports Med, pp. 129–133.
Other calculators
FRAX fracture risk calculator
https://www.fraxplus.org/en/calculation-tool
Risk test for common diseases (in Finnish; a Swedish version will be available at the end of 2025)
https://diabetes.fi/diabetestietoa/tee-riskitesti/
FINRISKI calculator (in Finnish, heart attack/stroke)
https://www.terveyskirjasto.fi/pgt00013
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